Description
About Tillandsia ionantha x violacea
Tillandsia ionantha x violacea is a John Arden hybrid, and it is one of the more sought-after crosses in the trade. It pairs the fierce blush of Tillandsia ionantha with the size and substance of violacea. You get ionantha colour on a much bigger plant.
Arden bred it in California, and the cross has held its reputation for decades. Growers keep coming back to it for one reason. It colours up hard and it does so on a plant large enough to sell on its own.
The rosette is broader and heavier than a straight ionantha. Leaves are grey-green and softly trichomed. As bloom approaches, the centre floods red and violet, and that colour holds for weeks rather than days.
These are large plants, well past the size most ionantha hybrids ship at. Because of that, they work as a single feature piece rather than a filler.
Growing Tillandsia ionantha x violacea: Care Guide
This hybrid leans mesic. Therefore it takes more water and slightly less fierce light than a silver, desert-type Tillandsia.
- Light: Bright indirect light. Some gentle morning sun deepens the blush. Harsh afternoon sun will scorch the softer leaves.
- Water: Soak 20 to 30 minutes every 7 to 10 days. That is more often than a xeric plant needs.
- Drying: Shake it out after soaking. The tighter rosette centre holds water, and a wet centre rots.
- Airflow: Steady air movement. It should feel dry within about four hours.
- Temperature: Keep it between 60°F and 100°F. No frost.
- Feeding: Feed monthly in spring and summer with diluted TillyBoost Fertilizer at quarter strength. Colour intensity depends heavily on feeding.
- Mounting: No soil. It mounts well on wood or cork, and it also sits happily loose in a bowl.
- Pups: Expect several offsets after blooming. Separate them at about one third the size of the mother.
For general guidance, see our Air Plant Care page. You can also browse our Rare Air Plants for more named hybrids.
